01/07/09 YoCream International has announced the launch of new YoCream High Culture Frozen Yogurt with L. acidophilus NCFM (trade name HOWARU Dophilus) premium probiotics: the first soft serve frozen yogurt with beneficial probiotics clinically proven to strengthen the body's natural digestive system.

"Real fermented yogurt has been considered a healthful food for thousands of years," stated Suzanne Gardner, YoCream Director of Marketing, "Since the 1970's, YoCream has cultured its frozen yogurt through a traditional fermentation process resulting in high culture counts in all of our frozen yogurt products." Now, clinical studies have scientifically proven and documented previously assumed health benefits of select probiotic culture strains. "As the leader in the soft serve frozen yogurt industry, it is important for us to be first to market with a frozen yogurt product enhanced with an additional L. acidophilus probiotic that is backed by scientific studies documenting health benefits."

New High Culture Frozen Yogurt supplements YoCream's existing product line of live and active culture frozen yogurts. YoCream, with technical support from Danisco, developed High Culture with L. acidophilus NCFM to supply a high viable culture count which provides consumers with living microorganisms at a daily dose demonstrated to promote health benefits. Enhanced with this strain, High Culture Frozen Yogurt:
• Supports good digestive health
• Improves intestinal microbial balance
• Aids in the digestion of dairy products
• Inhibits harmful bacteria and promotes improved digestion

This new sweet creamy soft serve frozen yogurt has a natural yogurt flavor profile, is nonfat, a good source of calcium, is low in sodium and contains only 100 calories per 4 oz serving. Each serving contains 1 billion Lactobacillus acidophilus NCFM cultures in addition to the S. thermophilus, L. bulgaricus, L. lactis and L. acidophilus present in all other YoCream products.

"HOWARU Dophilus is the world's best documented Lactobacillus acidophilus and the only L. acidophilus with its genome fully sequenced," remarked Peggy Steele, Danisco Global Business Director. "Studies began on this strain in the early 1970's, so there are many years of proven safety and efficacy." The gastrointestinal tract is the body's largest immune organ, containing an estimated 80% of all antibody-producing cells. An immune system that functions optimally is an important safeguard against infectious and non-infectious diseases, so the intestinal microflora represents one of the key elements in support of this system. "We were pleased to work with YoCream to bring this probiotic to the consumer in such an enjoyable product," stated Steele.

YoCream High Culture Frozen Yogurt with L. acidophilus NCFM promotes improved digestion and improved intestinal microbial balance. According to the American College of Gastroenterology, approximately one-third of the U.S. adult population suffers from some type of gastrointestinal ailment. Studies have shown that ingestion of probiotics is beneficial in maintaining the body's delicate microbial balance, which is a critical factor in human health and well-being.

"For us, it has always been a priority to develop delightful cultured products that every consumer can enjoy," stated Gardner. YoCream produces over 50 varieties of frozen yogurt, all of which meet and exceed the National Yogurt Association's (NYA) criteria for live and active cultured frozen yogurt. "In fact, our Original Tart Frozen Yogurts and new High Culture Frozen Yogurt even meet the NYA's higher culture requirements for refrigerated cup yogurt. This means that consumers can enjoy their daily cultures by consuming YoCream frozen yogurt, too." YoCream products display the official NYA Live and Active Cultures seal. "We urge consumers to look for this distinctive seal when they purchase frozen yogurt," concluded Gardner.